THE WINE
La Clé des Sept Arpents is a Premier Cru Extra Brut Champagne from Laurent Bénard, made from grapes grown organically in the villages of Mareuil‑sur‑Aÿ, Avenay‑Val‑d’Or and Mutigny — on clay‑limestone soils resting over chalk subsoil.
 
A blend of 70 % Pinot Noir, 15 % Chardonnay and 15 % Pinot Meunier.  Vinification is split between 60 % stainless‑steel tank and 40 % barrel, followed by ageing on the lees for 3 years.  45% of the wine is sourced from the 2021 harvest with the remainder being a perpetual reserve (started in 2012)  integrated into the assemblage to add complexity and continuity.
 
Only 300 bottles were made available for the UK market!
 
THE PEOPLE
Laurent Bénard comes from a long tradition of vine growers: his family has cultivated vines in Champagne since 1878 and started producing their own wines in 1934. In 2009 he launched the eponymous house Champagne Laurent Bénard in Mareuil‑sur‑Aÿ, with a clear focus on organic and low-intervention viticulture.
 
Bénard farms roughly 3.1 hectares across Premier‑Cru vineyards in Mareuil‑sur‑Aÿ, Avenay‑Val‑d’Or, and Mutigny, working with Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, and Chardonnay. His vineyards are organically farmed (certified since 2012), with minimal chemical input, natural cultivation methods, and a philosophy that emphasizes terroir expression.
 
In the cellar, Bénard pursues low‑intervention winemaking: spontaneous fermentation, natural malolactic, and aging in wood, stainless steel, or enamel depending on the cuvée. Sulfites are minimized, and dosages are low (Extra‑Brut or Brut Nature). This approach produces Champagnes known for clarity, purity, and subtle mineral-driven elegance, standing apart from more conventional, heavily manipulated wines.
 
With Laurent's son, Charles joining the business in 2019 we have already seen a real growth in complexity in the new releases - something to be excited for in the upcoming transition as the estate passes to the new generation.
 
THE PLACE
Wines from Mareuil‑sur‑Aÿ, a Premier‑Cru village in the Vallée de la Marne, are celebrated for their elegance and the distinctive character of Pinot Noir. The village has a long viticultural history dating back to the Middle Ages, when monks and local growers first began cultivating grapes on its south-facing slopes. The chalky clay-limestone soils, combined with the favorable microclimate, give the grapes both ripeness and a pronounced mineral structure. While Pinot Noir dominates, small amounts of Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier are also grown, adding freshness and complexity to the blends. These conditions produce Champagnes that are structured yet refined, with ripe fruit flavors, lively acidity, and excellent aging potential. Many producers craft single-village bottlings as well as wines from specific vineyard plots, allowing the nuances of soil, slope, and microclimate to shine through, resulting in wines that clearly reflect their terroir and long-standing heritage.